Athlete{3 s glove and pad

ABSTRACT

A glove and a pad for athletes, as golfers, baseball players and the like, wherein the glove is provided with a pliable pad having a depression formed therein in a direction toward an opening formed between the thumb and forefinger when the same are closed about the club handle and whereby the pad enables at least the smallest fingers dand at least the last finger to apply its fullest gripping pressure and forces to the club handle.

United States Patent 1191 Moroney Feb. 4, 1975 [5 ATHLETES GLOVE AND PAD 2,738,190 3/1956 Tureaud 2/20 x 3 065 472 11/1962 Linnell H 2/16] A [76] Inventor: Martin A. Moroney, 269 Wh1tter 350l773 3 1970 b 1 Ave, Levittown, NY. 11756 1 Stans erry eta. 2/159 [22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1974 Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin [21] pp No: 429,787 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bauer & Amer 52 U S Cl 2161A [57] ABSTRACT {51} 1.16121121113:311:33:11111::1:3136211131321119/66 A glove and a pad for athletes goersbeen" 58 Field 61 Search 2/16, 20, 161 A, 161 R, Players a m is f N159, 273/183 B 54 B w1th a pliable pad having a depression formed therein in a direction toward an opening formed between the thumb and forefinger when the same are closed about [56] References Cited the club handle and whereby the pad enables at least UNITED STATES PATENTS the smallest fingers dand at least the last finger to 2,258,999 10/1941 Nunn 2/159 a ly its fullest gripping pressure and forces to the 2,270,882 1/1942 Link 2/159 club hand|e 2,302,875 11/1942 Lykins.. 2/159 2,456,678 12/1948 Colel 2/159 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED 41975 3,863,271

F/G.6 :Z'X242 ATHLETES GLOVE AND PAD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gloves for athletes to aid in the gripping of club handles have been disclosed in the prior art. In US. Pat. No. 2,258,939 to Nunn, a pad having a shoulder inclined transversely of the glove is intended to position the glove in the correct lay across the hand with no consideration given to the proper hand grip by the smaller fingers, no less the smallest finger. In the US. Pat. No. 2,270,882 to Link, a palm structure enables the golfer to use the thenar eminence of the hand to grip the club, but no provision is made for the proper and correct gripping of the club by the smaller fingers of the hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a structure to enable the more efficient use of the last two smaller fingers, and more particularly, the last or smallest finger of the hand, to apply a gripping pressure to the club handle and, as a consequence, to more fully control the club maneuvers.

Although the present invention is described with respect to golfers and the effective gripping of a golf club handle, it is not to be construed as so limited. Baseball players also experience substantially the same handle gripping problems as golfers and, therefore, the present invention also may be employed by batters as well. Therefore, any reference hereafter to a club will be intended to include bats and the like and the handles thereof.

In the game of golf, it is important that the hand grip about the club handle be made in such manner that the pressure of the grip be maintained throughout the swing. The maintenance of constant pressure by the thumb, the first or forefinger and the largest middle or second finger, is not difficult because these are the strongest, the largest and the ones most often used. Hence, they are the fingers that are most easily controlled, applied to and wrapped tightly about the club handle. Moreover, in applying the golf club hand grip, it is common to wrap part of the second hand about the thumb and forefinger of the first hand, thereby enhancing the firmness of their grip.

In practice, however, it is most important that the last or smallest fourth finger, sometimes called the pinkie finger, and the third finger grip the club as firmly as they are able. Only in this way can the player completely, properly and uniformly control the club through every swinging maneuver.

Hence, the desideratum of the invention is to provide an athletic glove for enabling the user to more fully utilize the gripping forces of the last two fingers. More particularly, the desideratum of the invention is to enable the player to control the smallest finger to apply its fullest gripping pressure to the club handle along with that pressure applied by the other fingers of the hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pad on a glove worn by athletes that will pliably bend about the handle of a club such that the gripping forces of even at least the smallest finger of the hand may be fully utilized.

Still another object and feature of the invention resides in the details of structure of a pad that is positioned on or with respect to the details of a glove so as to cooperate with at least certain fingers of the hand to enable them to exert and apply their gripping forces to the club handle.

The above description, as well as further objects. features and advantages of the present invention. will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description ofa presently preferred. but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view ofa glove constructed according to the teaching of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of use of the glove and a modified pad;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pad of the glove illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pad of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another pad;

FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship of the club handle resting on the glove in the manner shown in FIG. I and as taken along line 6--6',

FIG. 7 is a view of FIG. 6 illustrating the manner of use of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the athletic glove of the present invention is generally identified in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the numeral 10. Although the glove 10 has been illustrated with full coverings or stalls for each of the fingers of the hand, including the thumb, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art, and without detracting from the scope of the invention, that the glove here shown and described may include finger portions or stalls which encompass or encircle only partial lengths of the fingers. Hence, whether the glove is full finger tip length or partial finger length will not affect the functioning of the present invention.

The glove 10 may comprise a narrowed wrist portion 12 that may be elasticised or include snaps or VEL- CRO fasteners as are commonly known to be employed in golf and baseball gloves, the same being used merely to hold the glove snugly to the hand of the user. For

convenience of understanding, the thumb portion of the glove is identified by the numeral 14 while the forefinger is shown by the numeral 16 and the middle finger is numbered 18. The third finger is indicated by the numeral 20 and the fourth or last smallest finger, sometimes known as the pinkie, is identified as 22.

It is known that most golfers and baseball batters attempt to concentrate on gripping the club handle by applying equal pressure to the club handle with all of the fingers of the hand. To aid in this, most handles, more especially golf club handles, are tapered with the largest portion of the taper being in the area of the smallest or pinkie finger of the hand. This is to enable the smallest and the third fingers to apply their most forceful grip to the handle in the same manner as the largest or middle finger and forefinger can grip the bandle. However, it is known that most golfers, more especially novice golfers, have difficulty in properly gripping the club handle with the third and fourth fingers, and more especially the fourth or smallest finger. Thus, it is found that when the smallest finger does not grip the club adequately or properly, the club sometimes tends to twist or rotate in the hand grip and oftentimes the swinging maneuvers to be performed with the club are improperly accomplished. Hence, it is important that the athlete cater to the last two fingers and more especially, the smallest or fourth finger 22 of the hand in the grip of the club.

Unfortunately, this is not too often done. Therefore,

the present invention is intended to aid the athlete or user of the glove to properly applying the hand grip to the club. Hence, even though the athlete may not consciously grip the club with his last two fingers, and more especially the fourth smallest finger 22, by the use of the present invention, the smallest finger and the third finger will apply to the club the adequate pressures and forces required of them during a good and proper hand grip.

To this end, a pad generally identified in FIG. 1 by the numeral 24 is applied to the palm portion 26 of the glove 10 which overlies the corresponding portion of the palm of the user. Thus, hereafter when portions of the glove are referred to, it is to be understood that corresponding portions of the hand are similarly intended and failure to refer to the hand hereafter should not detract from the definiteness of the inventive disclosure.

The pad 24 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated more clearly in FIG. 3 wherein the same has a cross-section that is substantially rectangular in shape. The pad 24 may be made of any pliable material. For example, it has been found in practice that soft rubber or a correspondingly foam plastic may be utilized for this purpose. However, it is within the scope of the invention that if a pocket were provided in the palm of the glove having the shape of the pad 24, such pocket could be injected with silicone or other pliable plastic material to accomplish the same purposes as the pads here described.

The pad 24 has a recess 28 that is produced as a result of providing a portion of lesser thickness 30 intermediate the widthwise ends 32 and 34 of the pad. The recess 28 extends for the full length'of the pad 24. In

practice, the ends 32 and 34 may be slightly concave to accommodate the thenar 36 of the thumb l4 and to conform substantially to the curvature of the crease 38 produced at the base of the fourth finger 22 when the same is bent relative to the palm. The remaining major widthwise portions 40 and 42 are positioned at o'pposite ends of the recess 28 which, incidentally, is adapted to receive the handle of the club. To accomplish this, the widthwise extent of the recess 28 and extent of the portion of lesser thickness 30 may be at least as great or greater than the diameter of the club to be grasped.

For convenience, a club 44 is illustrated in FIG. 2. In practice, the pad 24 may be mounted within a pocket formed in the glove 10. Since the pad 24 is substantially symmetrical about a center line 46 drawn through the center of the recess 28 and illustrated in FIG. 1, the pad may be used in right-hand or left-hand gloves simply by inserting the same into an appropriate pocket provided therefor. In FIG. I the pad 24 is illustrated as sewn into a pocket much in the manner such as is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein the palm portion of the glove 26 has secured to it an overlying pocket cover 48 that is adapted to hold the pad 24 in place. When so positioned within the appropriate pocket, the center line 46 of the recess 28 extends in a direction from the heel portion of the palm toward the hand gripping opening that is formed between and by the thumb l4 and the forefinger 16 when the same are wrapped closed about the club handle 44.

Thus, the club handle 44 will be positioned along the center line 46 of the pad 24. Accordingly, the recess 28 forms a guide to properly position the club handle 44 with respect to the fingers of the hand and properly in the palm. Although reference is not yet made to the disclosure of FIG. 2 because the same illustrates a pad of a modified embodiment, still it will be recognized that the club 44 there shown does assume the position of the center line 46 illustrated in FIG. 1.

When so positioned on and with respect to the palm portion of the glove 10, the pad 24 extends in width from the direction of the thenar 36 of the thumb toward the smallest finger 22. It further extends in length from the heel portion of the palm in the direction of the opening that is formed between the thumb and forefinger when these are wrapped about the club handle 44.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pad there shown is generally identified by the numeral 124. Because the pad 124 has details of structure corresponding to that of the pad 24 previously described, the like details will be identified by like tens-digit numerals. For convenience, these numerals will be in the series. The pad 124 may be similarly mounted or contained on the glove I0 and in the palm 26 thereof as illustrated in FIG. 2 by providing a previously formed pocket such as that illustrated in FIG. 6.

The pad 124 extends in width from the thenar portion 36 of the thumb 14 as shown in FIG. 2 toward the smallest finger 22. The major end portions and 142 of the pad 124 extend widthwise from opposite sides of the depression or recess 128. Thus, the recess 128 is formed intermediate the major portions 140 and 142 of the pad to enable the same to be flexed and gripped about the club handle 44. As in the pad 24, previously described, the axis 46 of the recess 128 is directed along the palm of the glove 10 in the direction of the opening formed by the thumb l4 and forefinger 16 when they are closed about the club 44.

The width of the recess 128 may be the same as that described with respect to the embodiment 24. However, for convenience, the recess 128 may be slightly shallower in depth than the prior recess 28 and may have sloping side walls 129 to enable the pad 124 to be shallower in thickness than the pad 24. The length of the major portion 140 on the one side of the recess 128 may be longer than that of the other end portion 142 such that the portion 140 will extend in overlying relation with the smallest finger 22 of the hand when the pad is mounted on the glove 10 or when positioned between the smallest finger 22 and the handle 44 of the club. The lengthwise extent of the major portion 140 may be varied depending upon the size of the glove 10 and the hand of the user of the pad 124. However, the lengthwise extent of the portion 140 may be varied to provide a comfortable cushion between the surface of the smallest finger 22 and the club handle 44.

To enhance the comfort of the pad 124, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pad 124 tapers gradually from the end toward the center line 46 of the recess and increases in thickness progressively toward such center line. Thus, the major portion 140 conforms substantially to the shape of the facing surface of the finger 22 and when formed as an integral part of the glove 10, provides an added cushion for a substantial portion of the length of the finger 22. Hence, when the finger 22 is curled about the handle 44 of the club, the major portion 140 of the pad 124 also curves and curls with the corresponding finger. Thus, it provides a thickness between the surface of the finger 22 and the handle 44 which tends effectively to increase the thickness of the finger 22 so as to enable it to more snugly and more forcefully grip the club handle without increasing the pressure of the finger on the club handle more than that normally required during the hand grip.

In essence, the major portion 140 functions almost in the nature ofa shim between the smallest finger 22 and the club handle 44. In this connection, the lengthwise extent of the portion 140 should be substantially equal to a portion of the extent of the finger 22 measured in the direction of the crease 38 along the palm of the hand or the glove l0. Naturally, it is within the contemplation of the invention that if the pad 124 is intended to aid in the gripping action to be accomplished by the next smaller finger 20, the major portion 140 of the pad 124 may be extended to overlie the next adjacent finger 20.

Referring now to the embodiment of the pad 224 illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5, like details of structure thereof will be identified by like tens-digit numerals corresponding to those used in the description of the pads 24 and 124. For ease of identification of the pad 224, such numerals will be identified in the 200 ser1es.

The pad 224 has two major widthwise portions 240 and 242, each of which is separated by a longitudinally extending recess 228 having a center line 46. The undersurface of the pad 224 is curved as illustrated at 252 to conform to the natural curvature of the palm of the hand when in a relaxed condition. The opposite ends of each of the major portions 240 and 242 taper at 232 and 234 toward but short of a point directed from the heel of the palm toward the opening formed between the thumb and forefinger. The tapering ends 232 and 234 again conform comfortably to fit between the thenar of the thumb and between the smaller fingers 20 and 22. The length of the taper 232 may be varied according to the lengthwise extent desired. Thus, as explained with respect to the embodiments 24 and 124, the same may be utilized in connection with the two smaller fingers 20 and 22. However, the lengthwise extent of the surface 232 should be at least equal to substantially the lengthwise extent of the gloved smallest finger 22 as indicated along the crease 38 of FIG. 1. If it is desired to utilize the pad with respect to the finger 20 as well, then the lengthwise extent of the surface 232 will be equal to substantially the length of the gloved fingers 20 and 22 as measured along the length of the palm.

In each of the embodiments here disclosed, the pad recess extends for the length of the respective pad. In practice, where the pocket formed by the cover 48 on the palm portion 26 of the glove is filled with a viscous material such as silicone, the glove palm, namely, the pocket cover 48, may be provided with an indent preformed therein so as to take the place of the recess formed in each of the disclosed pad embodiments. It is also noted that in the event the pads are formed of a sufficiently soft yielding material, the depth and shape of the recess may be varied because the weight of the handle 44 of the club, when positioned in the palm of the hand, will be sufficient to form its own recess in such pad. However, for convenience of explanation and ease of understanding, each of the pads is shown with the preformed recess. This recess functions not only to properly position the handle of the club within the hand of the athlete, but also aids in the gripping of the handle by the smallest fingers and more particularly, by the smallest finger 22.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the manner of use of each of the pads disclosed is there illustrated. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that although the pad illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 initially assumes the shape of the pad 224 of FIG. 5, the same manner of operation to be described is applicable to the pads 24 and 124. When once the pad is positioned on the palm of the glove, it may be covered and held in place within the pocket defined by the covering 48 that may be sewn directly to the palm portion 26 of the glove. It is possible also that a pad having the configuration of any of the embodiments described may be positioned directly on the palm of the hand and held to the palm of the hand by a glove positioned thereover.

In referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the handle 44 of the club is placed in the palm of the hand to extend beyond and through the opening formed between the thumb l4 and the forefinger 16 when wrapped about the handle. In such case, the handle 44 would assume the position along the center line 46 as shown in FIG. 1 or as is more fully illustrated in FIG. 2. As the fingers of the hand are wrapped about the club handle 44, the surface 48 of the cover of the pocket is moved or pressed into the recess 228 of the pad. A further wrapping of the fingers about the club handle 44 and more particularly the smallest finger 22 causes the major portions 240 and 242 of the pad to fold and be engaged more snugly between the thenar of the thumb 36 and the smallest finger 22 with the club 44 now snugly engaged in the recess 228 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

The remaining portions of the pocket of the glove, which had fit loosely about the pad 224 such as is illustrated in FIG. 6, are now snugly engaged about the surfaces of the pad as shown in FIG. 7. The pad functions as a thickness between the finger 22 and the club handle so that it is not necessary to apply any more pressure to the smallest finger than the same is normally accustomed to applying to a club. Yet, by providing the thickness of the pad between the smallest finger and the club, the smallest finger can now apply its fullest pressure to the club to prevent the relative movement of the club with respect thereto.

If in the same manner the pad is positioned between the next smallest finger 20 and the club handle 44, such finger will also be able to utilize its fullest force without undue or unnecessary straining application. In this way, the smallest fingers of the hand can be fully utilized to control the manipulations of the club at its handle without causing the user or athlete to apply any greater pressure than he normally is accustomed to doing and without causing undue strain on the finger muscles or distracting the attention of the athlete from his task. In this way, all of the fingers of the hand can apply their fullest pressure to controlling the manipulations of the club without undue strain or distracting concentration.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A hand glove for golfers and the like having finger stalls and a palm area including glove portions to cover the palm of a hand including the thenar and heel of the hand,

the invention comprising an elongated pad of pliable material connected to the glove palm extending along the heel portion thereof from the thenar portion to and along at least a portion of the extent of the smallest glove finger stall,

and a recess defined in said pad extending in a direction from the heel portion of the glove toward an opening between the thumb and forefinger of the glove when the same are wrapped about a club handle.

2. A hand glove as in claim 1,

said recess being a depression in said pad intermediate the elongation thereof to define two major enlarged portions on opposite sides thereof,

said recess being shaped to receive a club handle therein when said enlarged portions are wrapped about the club handle.

3. A hand glove for gripping the handle of a golf club and the like wherein the glove has a palm area for covering the palm of the user's hand with a portion of the glove covering and extending from at least the thenar portion of the hand and with a portion of the glove extending across the heel of the hand to at least a finger stall for the smallest finger of the hand,

the invention comprising a pad of flexible material connected with the glove to extend across the glove palm area from the thenar portion thereof and along at least an extent of the finger stall for the smallest finger of the hand,

and two enlarged portions relatively spaced along said pad from the thenar portion of the glove to the finger stall, said relative space between said enlarged portions being defined by a recess provided in said pad intermediate the ends thereof to accommodate therein the club handle. 

1. A hand glove for golfers and the like having finger stalls and a palm area including glove portions to cover the palm of a hand including the thenar and heel of the hand, the invention comprising an elongated pad of pliable material connected to the glove palm extending along the heel portion thereof from the thenar portion to and along at least a portion of the extent of the smallest glove finger stall, and a recess defined in said pad extending in a direction from the heel portion of the glove toward an opening between the thumb and forefinger of the glove when the same are wrapped about a club handle.
 2. A hand glove as in claim 1, said recess being a depression in said pad intermediate the elongation thereof to define two major enlarged portions on opposite sides thereof, said recess being shaped to receive a club handle therein when said enlarged portions are wrapped about the club handle.
 3. A hand glove for gripping the handle of a golf club and the like wherein the glove has a palm area for covering the palm of the user''s hand with a portion of the glove covering and extending from at least the thenar portion of the hand and with a portion of the glove extending across the heel of the hand to at least a finger stall for the smallest finger of the hand, the invention comprising a pad of flexible material connected with the glove to extend across the glove palm area from the thenar portion thereof and along at least an extent of the finger stall for the smallest finger of the hand, and two enlarged portions relatively spaced along said pad from the thenar portion of the glove to the finger stall, said relative space between said enlarged portions being defined by a recess provided in said pad intermediate the ends thereof to accommodate therein the club handle. 